When Can I Wear Mascara After Lasik? (EXPLAINED)

If you are having your vision corrected using Laser assisted in situ keratomileuses you may be wondering ‘when can I wear mascara after LASIK? The answer is 1-2 weeks but there are a few things you should be aware of.

When Can I Wear Mascara After LASIK Eye Surgery?

After LASIK eye surgery, you will typically be instructed to wait a week or even two weeks before wearing mascara.

The length of time you are advised to wait will depend on your situation and procedure and should be discussed with your practitioner.

The same advice will be given regarding eyeliner and eyeshadow.

You should avoid any eye makeup, including mascara, immediately after you have undergone the LASIK procedure. This is to give your eyes the best chance of healing.

The reason behind this is that tiny particles of the makeup product could find their way into your eye, increasing the risk of infection.

Wearing eye makeup in the immediate aftermath of your LASIK procedure increases the chances of your eyes becoming irritated and may even hinder the recovery of your eyes.

Furthermore, if the eye makeup is not applied and removed gently, this can irritate the eye.

If there is a reason you need to wear mascara very soon after your LASIK procedure, it might be a good idea to re-schedule your procedure.

Choose a time when you’ll be able to give your eyes the recovery time they need.

If going mascara-free is really going to be a struggle at any time, you could consider having your lashes tinted a week or so before your procedure.

Can I Wear Mascara Before LASIK Eye Surgery?

When you attend your initial consultation, it is a good idea to wear no eye makeup or minimal eye makeup. This just helps avoid any residue from the product interfering with the results of tests carried out.

It is also best to avoid wearing mascara for at least 24 hours in the lead-up to your LASIK treatment. Eyelash extensions will also need to be removed.

Can I Wear Mascara During LASIK Eye Surgery?

No mascara or makeup of any kind should be worn on the day of the surgery.

Tips For Wearing Mascara After LASIK

When you have the all-clear to wear mascara again, it is still important to take care of your freshly treated peepers. We have put together a few tips to help you out in this area.

Avoid The Waterline

If you are applying mascara, try to make sure it doesn’t get into your waterline. This will help reduce the risk of infection.

Avoid Hard-To-Remove Makeup

Try to avoid waterproof mascara or any mascara that is hard to remove. This goes for any makeup you are applying around your eye area.

The makeup you wear around your eyes should be easy to remove. This eliminates the need to rub too hard, potentially causing infection.

When removing eye makeup after LASIK treatment, try to use a light downward motion, rather than a side-to-side motion across the eyelid.

Use Clean Brushes

You might want to think about buying a new mascara to ensure there is no build-up of bacteria on the mascara wand. This reduces the risk of eye infections.

As a general rule of thumb, even without having had eye surgery, you should replace your mascara approximately every three months.

Also, don’t use mascara past the expiry date. Using expired mascara increases the chances of developing an eye infection.

Avoid Touching Or Rubbing Your Eyes

You should try to avoid touching your eyes when applying makeup or for any reason.

This is especially important in the first few weeks after LASIK surgery as this can lead to irritation.

Can I Have LASIK If I Have Eyelash Extensions?

This is something you need to consult with your practitioner on. Some prefer that you have them removed, while others are happy for you to keep them on.

This is because the chemicals used to remove the lash extensions can irritate the eyes and it is best to avoid any irritants prior to your LASIK procedure.

But bear in mind, that you may lose some of the lash extensions as your lashes are taped down during surgery.

How Long After Surgery Can I Wear Makeup?

Check with your practitioner, but generally you can wear makeup not specifically for the eyes around three to four days after the surgery.

Foundation, concealer, and lipstick should all be safe to use as long as you don’t apply them too close to the eye area. For powders and blush, wait for about 5 days before you apply.

Can I Apply Moisturisers And Eye Creams After LASIK surgery?

It is advised that you wait for two weeks before applying moisturizers or eye creams to the eye area after you have had LASIK surgery.

This helps avoid irritating the eye or triggering any infections.

So, When Can I Wear Mascara After Lasik?

If you are having LASIK surgery, we would suggest you talk everything through with your practitioner.

They will usually advise you not to wear mascara 1-2 weeks after your eye surgery, but they will be able to advise you specifically on how much time you need to wait before applying mascara.

Then, all that will be left to do is enjoy the sights around you with your newly enhanced vision!